On the professional side of the CPU space, Intel’s new Xeon Scalable Processor family, based on the Skylake-SP architecture, is suiting up against the new EPYC processors from AMD. Part of Intel’s Xeon-SP launch was a rebranding of their product stack: gone are E5 and E7 families, and now Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze make for a confusing conversion. With this announcement, Intel also gave the image that now consumer and professional platforms were separate: no longer were Xeons welcome in consumer sockets. However as it turns out, this would not quite be the case.

Today Intel is taking the wraps off of their new Xeon-W family of processors, which will be their new brand for workstation-class processors. With the Xeon-W announcement today, Intel is bridging the gap between servers and consumer processors (in name at least) with a direct replacement for the old E5-1600 series, which will see Skylake-SP Xeons come to the LGA2066 socket with additional professional-level features in tow.

Historically, the E5-1600 series were identical processors to the E5-2600 series, except without the dual socket capabilities and consequently priced more appropriately for single socket workstations. Meanwhile over the last few generations, the consumer and enterprise platforms shared a socket, which made cross compatibility fairly easy.

With the new Xeon-SP processors, however, the enterprise platform went up to Socket LGA3647. This new socket is a far cry from the consumer LGA2066, losing a common platform in exchange for more memory channels and other features such as Omnipath. With a complete division between consumer and enterprise, there was no way to bring features such as ECC and vPro down into more consumer friendly environments.

Today’s launch of Xeon-W fixes this, although you probably still need a new chipset. As a replacement for the E5-1600 series, the Xeon-W CPUs will feature parts from 4 cores up to 18 cores, support up to 512GB of ECC RDIMM/LRDIMM memory, support dual 512-bit FMAs throughout the stack, and peak turbo clocks of 4.5 GHz.

New Intel Xeon-W Processors (LGA2066)

Cores

Base
Freq.

Turbo
2.0

L3
(MB)

L3/core
(MB)

TDP

Price

Xeon W-2195

18/36

2.3 GHz

4.3 GHz

24.75

1.375

140 W

TBD

Xeon W-2175

14/28

TBD

TBD

19.25

1.375

140 W

TBD

Xeon W-2155

10/20

3.3 GHz

4.5 GHz

13.75

1.375

140 W

$1440

Xeon W-2145

8/16

3.7 GHz

4.5 GHz

11.00

1.375

140 W

$1113

Xeon W-2135

6/12

3.7 GHz

4.5 GHz

8.25

1.375

140 W

$835

Xeon W-2133

6/12

3.6 GHz

3.9 GHz

8.25

1.375

140 W

$617

Xeon W-2125

4/8

4.0 GHz

4.5 GHz

8.25

2.063

120 W

$444

Xeon W-2123

4/8

3.6 GHz

3.9 GHz

8.25

2.063

120 W

$294

In essence, these are Xeon versions of the current Skylake-X (Core i9) processors with all the pro features enabled, such as the extended memory support, vPro, Intel’s AMT, and the standard enterprise Reliability, Serviceability and Availability (RAS) features. They will require a new chipset, the C422 chipset, and despite the common LGA2066 socket, the Xeon-W will not work with the consumer X299 chipset (reaffirming the split we see with the E3-1200 v5/v6 series which require the C236 chipset and will not work with the Z170 chipset). As a result, we are likely to see most of the major motherboard manufacturers pump out at least one version of an enterprise board to cover this market.

Starting at the bottom of the new Xeon-W product stack, we find something interesting: Intel is releasing a pair of four core parts that have 8.25MB of L3 cache, rather than the 5.5MB we would expect from a 1.375MB/core Skylake-SP design. This indicates that these parts retain access to some of the L3 cache attached to the disabled cores, making them particularly well suited for software that is licensed per CPU core and consequently needs the the highest single-threaded performnace possible. There are two 6 core members of the stack, which differ solely on clock speed. This is then followed by an 8 core, a 10-core, a 14-core and an 18-core, with no 12-core or 16-core present (although if launched, these are likely to be called the W-2185 and W-2165). All the parts will support 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the processor, suitable for 2x GPU and 3x PCIe storage direct from the CPU without going out to the chipset (in the consumer Skylake-X product line, the two bottom SKUs only have 28 PCIe lanes, and the rest have 44). Every processor in the Xeon-W stack sits at 140W, except the quad cores at 120W. By contrast, Skylake-X goes up to 165W. It is also worth noting that the Xeon-W processors only support Turbo Boost 2.0 rather than Turbo Boost Max 3.0 and its "favored core" underpinnings. And as with past Xeon processors, Xeon-W processors are also likely to be locked.

Top SKU Comparison

Features

Skylake-X
(i9-7980XE)

Xeon-W
(Xeon W-2195)

Skylake-SP
(Xeon 8180/M)

Platform

X299

C422

C620

Socket

LGA2066

LGA2066

LGA3647

Cores/Threads

18 / 36

18 / 36

28 / 56

Top Base/Turbo

2.6 / 4.2

2.3 / 4.3

2.5 / 3.8

GPU PCIe 3.0

44

48

48

DRAM / DDR4

128GB
UDIMM
Quad-Channel

512GB
RDIMM+LRDIMM
Quad Channel

768GB/1536GB
RDIMM+LRDIMM
Six Channel

TDP

165W

140W

205W

Price

$1999

TBD

$10009 / $13011

There are several obvious comparisons that can be made between the Xeon-W family and both the consumer Skylake-X and the server Xeon-SP platforms. Intel’s goal here is to hit something in the middle: an increase in price over Skylake-X gets you more memory support, ECC, more PCIe lanes, and management features, but doesn’t go the full way to six-channels of DDR4 or multi-socket support. Not all of the Xeon-W parts have specifications and prices yet, but the 8-core processor is a good place to do comparisons.

8-Core Comparison

Features

Skylake-X
Core i7-7820X

Xeon-W
Xeon W-1245

Skylake-SP
Gold 6144

Platform

X299

C422

C620

Socket

LGA2066

LGA2066

LGA3647

Cores/Threads

8 / 16

8 / 16

8 / 16

Base/Turbo

3.6 / 4.3

3.7 / 4.5

3.5 / 4.2

GPU PCIe 3.0

28

48

48

DRAM / DDR4

128GB
UDIMM
Quad-Channel

512GB
RDIMM+LRDIMM
Quad-Channel

768GB
RDIMM+LRDIMM
Six Channel

TDP

140W

140W

150W

Sockets

1

1

Up to 4

Price

$599

$1113

$2925

The consumer Core i7 has fewer PCIe lanes and the most limited DRAM support, but it's the cheapest. Conversely, the Xeon Gold CPU is easily the most expensive, but it supports up to four sockets, has more L3 cache per core overall, and gets the greatest memory capacity, while incurring a slightly higher TDP in the process. The Xeon-W then sits neatly in the middle, taking advantage of high clock frequencies and pro features with a small bump in price, without forking over for multi-socket support.

Of course, we can put the Xeon W-2145 up against AMD’s Threadripper 1900X and EPYC 7401P too:

Comparison

Features

Xeon-W
Xeon W-1245

AMD Ryzen
TR 1900X

AMD EPYC
7401P

Platform

C422

X399

-

Socket

LGA2066

TR4

SP3r2

Cores/Threads

8 / 16

8 / 16

24 / 48

Base/Turbo

3.7 / 4.5

3.8 / 4.0

2.0 / 3.0

GPU PCIe 3.0

48

60

124

DRAM / DDR4

512GB
LDIMM+RDIMM
Four Channel

128GB
UDIMM
Four Channel

2 TB
RDIMM + LRDIMM
Eight Channel

L3 Cache

11.00 MB

32 MB

64 MB

TDP

140W

180W

155W/170W

Price

$1113

$549

$1075

For both parts that have the same core counts, Intel has the frequency advantage (and the performance advantage) and the power advantage, but AMD's chips have 60 PCIe lanes, more memory support, and are cheaper. When the 1950X doubles the cores but reduces the frequency, it still comes out cheaper than the Xeon W. Intel still has dual 512-bit FMAs/AVX-512 support, which Intel says is a big bonus in this market, and will point to its single thread performance.

While today is the formal announcement of the Xeon-W family, Intel has not announced much in the way of release details other than that the 14/18 core parts will be available in Q4. The rest are likely to come to market sooner, and we have requested details on retail availability. We’ve also had a lot of requests for workstation level testing or Xeon vs EPYC, and we’re in touch with both companies to get our hands on processors as soon as we can.

To clarify, we're still waiting on information about CPU/chipset support, and if Xeon-W will be supported in X299 motherboards. We will update this piece when we get that information.

Update 1

Chipset Support: Xeon-W will only work in C422 motherboards. C422 motherboards will not accept Core-X processors.

DRAM: 128GB LRDIMMs are not supported. Intel feels this level of value does not benefit workstation users and directs them to the M versions of the Xeon-SP lines.

Turbo Boost 3.0: Intel is not supporting this on Xeon-W, but has engineered TB2 to match the same frequency.

Mesh Frequency: Intel refuses to disclose this publicly, even though anyone with a CPU could poll it to get the result. This was an odd response to this request.

Also on retail availability: Up to 10-core parts are available from OEMs from August 29th (today). However, only W-2123 and W-2135 are going to be on the shelf in official retail packaging. End users will have to procure the other parts through non-retail packs.

Post Your Comment

50 Comments

Ok..Exactly how is intel charging a price premium for these Xeon W processors? If you only look at the top of the line then yes, you are going to pay a premium no doubt but alas that's business. If you need 18/36 thread processing with ECC support baked in then it will cost you. I really like the design of threadripper/EPYC and i hope AMD successfully competes with Intel but you really need to do an apples to apples based comparison on YOUR processing needs and NOT what you think is a fair market price. I do options trading and I want to build a 4 GPU server and i dont need more than 1 thread per card. The xeon W 2123 would be perfect for only $300!!! Where is threadripper at this price?? I know Intel will make at least 50% of their money from the 2 lowest SKU's, the 4 core parts. You can easily run a cheap dedicated server to do one job..like pricing options and paying for it in one day!!! I wish all you Intel experts would also look at the economics that Intel is trying to live by and not take their pricing so personal!! If you want AMD because it is cheaper then go ahead and buy it. I really like what AMD is doing and the XEON W processor at least in the low end is a good response to AMD...sorry but Intel will continue to make make many billions compared to AMD if they can sell processors like the w-2123 for around $300!!!Reply

Well, pat yourself on the back, you managed to squeeze out a use case that almost makes it convincing that intel would be a better fit for.

Let's hear it for intel - the champion of CHEAP servers LOL. That's funny in a bunch of ways.

BTW if your priority is cost of equipment, then you are really better off with a simple Ryzen solution, just pick one of the boards that is known to support ECC, where 300$ will give you EIGHT cores, which will completely destroy a 4 core xeon in terms of performance. Not to mention how much affordable the mobo is gonna be. Reply

And surely, AMD doesn't scale its enterprise products as low as intel just to fit your requirement for a strictly quad core CPU ( I bet having more cores will really hurt you ) but you can have a full fledged 8 core EPYC chip for only 400$. But I guess those extra 100$ are simply outside of your budget, which is why you are so desperate to shop intel LOL.Reply

It will be interesting to compare 8 core Xeon W to the 8 core i7 Skylark X, if it is like my old 5160 you probably find it significantly faster especially in the IO. I have a Dual Xeon 5160 and only until recently in last couple of years it was faster than most machines. Keep in mind, that 5160 is a Ten year old CPU - and todays Xeons are significantly faster than todays i7'sReply